Australian Red Cross

In the busy wards of a small hospital in Juba, South Sudan, Australian Red Cross delegate Sophie spent months with people whose lives changed in an instant. Landmines, loss, and pain—but also fleeting moments of resilience, courage, and shared humanity that shone through the harshest conditions. Sophie knows that carrying these experiences doesn’t end when a deployment does. Behind every aid worker is a network of support helping them process what they see, hear, and carry—so they can continue to serve with strength and compassion. In crisis zones, every day is unpredictable—and the weight of what people witness can stay long after they leave. Without support, even the strongest can feel overwhelmed. This festive season, help bring comfort to those carrying heavy burdens. Your generosity can provide counselling, psychological support, or simply the reassurance that someone is there when it matters most. Donate today, so care in all its forms can reach the people who need it most. https://bit.ly/43C1dnR ❤️

Last week, Australian Red Cross had the privilege of attending the Care Expo in Sydney. A big thank you to all our amazing staff and volunteers who helped promote our wonderful aged care services, and to everyone who took the time to stop by for a chat – we loved connecting with you!   It was also great to be there alongside our First Aid Mental Health and Emergency Services teams, sharing the important message of being prepared and raising awareness about the broader work we do in the care space.   Want to learn more about our care services? Head here: https://lnkd.in/gsHdsxD8

When severe weather strikes, communities look to those who understand the risks and know how to respond. Join Australian Red Cross on Tuesday, 18 November, for an online session exploring the latest insights from IAG’s Severe Weather in a Changing Climate – 3rd Edition Report, developed with the U.S. National Science Foundation’s NCAR. Discover how Australia’s climate is shifting—from cyclones and floods to bushfires and rising seas—and what these changes mean for communities across the country. Hear from IAG’s Natural Perils Executive Manager, Peter Chan as he unpacks practical insights for everyone from emergency responders to policymakers. Equip yourself with knowledge to better support your community in the face of increasingly complex weather events. Register now: https://lnkd.in/eSnKC3Wa

Australian Red Cross recently submitted a recommendation calling for psychosocial support to be included as part of the response to the toxic algal bloom. Today, we welcome the Committee’s acknowledgment of this need and its recommendation that the Australian and South Australian Governments review current investment in community resilience and mental health support programs — and consider ongoing or increased funding where needed to assist affected communities. This recognition validates the lived experiences of those impacted and highlights the importance of a holistic recovery approach that extends beyond environmental and economic factors. Australian Red Cross remains ready to continue delivering Psychological First Aid, outreach, and community-led recovery initiatives in partnership with government and local stakeholders. 

The festive season is often a time for connection — shared laughter, small moments of warmth, and time spent with the people who matter most. But for many, that sense of warmth can feel out of reach. The good news? Each of us has the power to bring it closer — one person at a time.  A kind word. A small act of generosity. A moment of support when someone needs it most — they all matter. Because when we bring joy to one person, we create ripples that reach far beyond. One world, one person, one act of kindness at a time. Let’s each take a moment to spread a little joy this festive season > https://bit.ly/4oxvWuT

Yesterday, Australian Red Cross joined the NSW Anti-Slavery Commissioner and hundreds of survivors, ministers, commissioners, practitioners, and businesses to unite in one goal - ending modern slavery. Australian Red Cross was proud to be part of this important discussion to help raise awareness and take action to end this humanitarian issue. We were also honoured to receive an Anti-Slavery Commissioner’s Commendation Award for our partnership with Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) Australia in developing the Modern Slavery Training Program. To learn more about the program, visit: https://lnkd.in/g2Aicwdq

Australian Red Cross is a volunteer-led organisation. Every act of kindness, every act of humanity, every moment of impact is powered not only by our incredible volunteers — but also by the people who help bring them together. Behind every volunteer lending a hand at an event, supporting a community in crisis, responding to an emergency, or welcoming customers in our retail shops, there’s a volunteer manager playing a crucial role in making it all possible. In line with this year’s theme, “Be Bold. Make Change.”, Australian Red Cross is taking action to ensure volunteer managers are not just behind the scenes — but part of the story. Today, on International Volunteer Managers Day, we say a heartfelt thank you to the volunteer managers, coordinators, and leaders who turn people power into action for humanity. Their leadership allows thousands of volunteers to act as one, making real change possible. ❤️

We’re honoured to work alongside such dedicated organisations making a real impact across Australia, celebrating the spirit of community.❤️ Thank you so much, Qantas, for your continued partnership. Your support enhances our ability to deliver humanitarian aid and embodies the true meaning of community.

In the remote Alpine town of Dargo, VIC, Australian Red Cross partnered with WEO🌍 and the local community to pilot a deceptively simple idea, a map. But this wasn’t just any map. It was a co-designed, hyperlocal platform built with satellite data, AI, and most importantly, community insight. Through the QBE AcceliCITY Humanitarian Challenge, this project became a living example of what happens when tech meets trust. Locals didn’t just adopt the tool, they reshaped it. From identifying flood-prone roads to mapping community-owned generators and Wi-Fi spots, the platform evolved to reflect what truly matters to Dargo. 💡 What made it work? * Starting with lived experience, not tech specs * Designing with the community, not for them * Embedding local champions to build trust and capability * Adapting systems to allow real collaboration Now, the platform is part of Dargo’s planning fabric, used in meetings, disaster prep, and even funding applications. This isn’t just a case study. It’s a blueprint for scaling trust, not just technology. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gn7P96Qt In partnership with QBE Insurance and Leading Cities, and supported by The Coca-Cola Foundation.

Australian Red Cross is proud to continue our long-standing collaboration with Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) through a renewed eight-year commitment to strengthening humanitarian leadership and resilience across the Asia-Pacific. This next phase builds on years of shared work supporting National Societies to lead within their own countries - mobilising rapid support during crises, strengthening institutional capacity, and guiding long-term recovery with care and compassion. The partnership reflects a deep commitment to locally led humanitarian action, ensuring communities are better prepared for, and able to recover from, the escalating risks of a changing climate, conflict, and disaster.  National Societies are at the heart of this work, driving resilience and delivering care with deep local knowledge and trust - and we’re proud to stand alongside them.    Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Fiji Red Cross Society, Palang Merah Indonesia - PMI (Indonesian Red Cross), Mongolian Red Cross Society, Myanmar Red Cross, PNG Red Cross Society, Solomon Islands Red Cross, Timor-Leste Red Cross, Tonga Red Cross, Vanuatu Red Cross Society, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies - IFRC.